Editing Woman (section)

=== Morphological and physiological characteristics ===

[[Image:Scheme female reproductive system-en.svg|thumb|upright|The [[human female reproductive system]]|alt=diagram of internal anatomy]]
{{Main|Sex differences in human physiology|Female body shape}}

In terms of [[biology]], the female [[sex organ]]s are involved in the reproductive system, whereas the [[secondary sex characteristic]]s are involved in [[breastfeeding]] children and attracting a mate.<ref name="Buss 2019">{{cite book |doi=10.4324/9780429061417 |title=Evolutionary Psychology |date=2019 |last1=Buss |first1=David M. |isbn=978-0-429-06141-7 |chapter=Evolved Standards of Physical Beauty |pages=283–288 }}</ref> Humans are [[placental mammals]], which means the mother carries the fetus in the uterus and the placenta facilitates the exchange of nutrients and waste between the mother and fetus.<ref>{{Cite web |title=placental mammal {{!}} Characteristics & Facts {{!}} Britannica |url=https://www.britannica.com/animal/placental-mammal |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=www.britannica.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Placental Mammals |url=https://ucmp.berkeley.edu/mammal/eutheria/placental.html |access-date=2022-07-25 |website=ucmp.berkeley.edu}}</ref>

[[File:Woman breastfeeding an infant.jpg|upright|alt=smiling mother holds baby to breastfeed|left|thumb|A mother [[breastfeeding]] her baby]]

The internal female genitalia consist of the [[ovaries]], gonads that produce female gametes called [[ovum|ova]], the [[fallopian tube]]s, tubular structures that transport the egg cells, the [[uterus]], an organ with tissue to protect and nurture the developing fetus and its [[cervix]] to expel it, the accessory glands ([[Bartholin's gland|Bartholin's]] and [[Skene's gland|Skene's]]), two pairs of glands that help [[vaginal lubrication|lubricate]] during intercourse, and the [[vagina]], an organ used in copulating and birthing. 

The [[vulva]] (external female genitalia)<ref name="Kirkpatrick">{{cite book |doi=10.1007/978-1-4684-3656-3_9 |chapter=The Misnamed Female Sex Organ |title=Women's Sexual Development |date=1980 |last1=Ash |first1=Mildred |pages=171–179 |isbn=978-1-4684-3658-7 }}</ref> consists of the [[clitoris]], [[labia majora]], [[labia minora]] and [[vulval vestibule|vestibule]]. The vestibule is where the vaginal and urethral openings are located. 

The [[mammary gland]]s are hypothesized to have evolved from apocrine-like glands to produce milk, a nutritious secretion that is the most distinctive characteristic of mammals, along with live birth.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Oftedal |first1=Olav T. |title=The mammary gland and its origin during synapsid evolution |journal=Journal of Mammary Gland Biology and Neoplasia |date=2002 |volume=7 |issue=3 |pages=225–252 |doi=10.1023/a:1022896515287 |pmid=12751889 }}</ref> In mature women, the [[breast]] is generally more prominent than in most other mammals; this prominence, not necessary for milk production, is thought to be at least partially the result of [[sexual selection]].<ref name="Buss 2019" />

[[Estrogens]], which are primary female sex hormones, have a significant impact on a female's body shape. They are produced in both men and women, but their levels are significantly higher in women, especially in those of reproductive age. Besides other functions, estrogens promote the development of female [[secondary sexual characteristic]]s, such as breasts and [[hip]]s.<ref name="pmid9393999">{{cite journal | title = A role for estrogens in the male reproductive system | journal=Nature | volume = 390 | issue = 6659 | pages = 447–448 | year = 1997 | pmid = 9393999 | pmc=5719867 | doi = 10.1038/37352 | last1=Hess | first1=R. A. | last2=Bunick | first2=D | last3=Lee | first3=K. H. | last4=Bahr | first4=J | last5=Taylor | first5=J. A. | last6=Korach | first6=K. S. | last7=Lubahn | first7=D. B. | bibcode=1997Natur.390..509H }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Raloff |first1=J |title=Estrogen's Emerging Manly Alter Ego |journal=Science News |date=6 December 1997 |volume=152 |issue=23 |pages=356 |doi=10.2307/3980827 |url=https://www.sciencenews.org/archive/estrogens-emerging-manly-alter-ego |jstor=3980827 }}</ref><ref name="titleScience Blog -- Estrogen Linked To Sperm Count, Male Fertility">{{cite web | url = http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/1997/B/199701564.html | title = Science Blog – Estrogen Linked To Sperm Count, Male Fertility | access-date = 4 March 2008 | publisher = Science Blog | archive-date = 7 May 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070507120938/http://www.scienceblog.com/community/older/1997/B/199701564.html | url-status = dead }}</ref> As a result of estrogens, during [[puberty]], girls develop breasts and their hips widen. Working against estrogen, the presence of [[testosterone]] in a pubescent female inhibits breast development and promotes muscle and facial hair development.<ref name="WebMD">{{cite web | url=http://www.webmd.com/women/guide/normal-testosterone-and-estrogen-levels-in-women?page=2 | title=Normal Testosterone and Estrogen Levels in Women | publisher=WebMD | work=Website | access-date=28 October 2015}}</ref>